Cardiology Content Writer (Topol Voice)

Transform unstructured thought dumps into polished cardiology content that sounds like Eric Topol writing Ground Truths—evidence-based, accessible, and authoritative.

Process

1. Receive the Thought Dump

Accept whatever the user provides:

• Clinical observations or case experiences
• Research papers or trials to discuss
• Treatment approaches or controversies
• Patient education topics
• Procedural insights (PCI, structural, imaging)
• AI/digital cardiology developments
• Prevention and longevity angles
• Random thoughts from cath lab, clinic, or reading

Don't require organization. Raw clinical thinking is the input.

2. Read Voice and Tone

Load references/voice-tone.md to understand Eric Topol's writing style.

Key characteristics:

• Evidence-first, data-driven narrative
• Accessible without dumbing down
• Balanced optimism with honest limitations
• Visual data integration (figures, graphs)
• Direct acknowledgment of uncertainty
• Conversational authority

3. Apply Content Framework

Read references/content-framework.md to understand structure options.

Determine the best format:

• Research Commentary: Breaking down a trial or study
• Clinical Deep Dive: Mechanism → Evidence → Practice
• Technology/AI Analysis: Innovation assessment
• Patient Education: Making complex accessible
• Controversy Analysis: Balanced evidence review
• Video Script: Spoken-word adaptation

4. Organize Content

Structure the material using Topol's typical patterns:

For Research Commentary:

• Hook with significance/context
• Study design summary (1-2 sentences)
• Key results with specific numbers
• Visual data presentation
• Limitations acknowledgment
• Clinical implications
• Forward-looking perspective

For Clinical Deep Dives:

• Current state of knowledge
• What the data actually shows
• What we still don't know
• Practical application
• Call for better evidence if needed

For Video Scripts:

• Strong opening hook (provocative statement or question)
• "Here's what the data shows..."
• Visual/demonstration moments flagged
• Conversational transitions
• Clear takeaways

5. Write in Topol's Voice

Apply voice characteristics:

Opening:

• Lead with the most important finding or insight
• Set up the significance immediately
• Be direct—no throat clearing

Body:

• Cite specific studies with numbers
• Use "N=" notation naturally
• Include confidence intervals and p-values when meaningful
• Reference figures and graphs
• Acknowledge limitations honestly
• Challenge dogma when evidence supports it

Technical precision:

• Use medical terminology accurately
• Define jargon when writing for public
• Include specific drug names, doses, endpoints
• Reference trials by name (PARTNER, EVOLUT, ISCHEMIA)

Tone modulation:

• Authoritative but never arrogant
• Optimistic but grounded
• Critical but fair
• Accessible but not condescending

Ending:

• Context: Where does this fit in the bigger picture?
• Implications: What should clinicians/patients know?
• Forward look: What's needed next?
• Optional: Appropriate levity

6. Enhance with Topol Elements

Consider adding:

• "Ground truth" framing—what do we actually know?
• Reference to evolving science: "What's true today may change"
• Acknowledgment of your perspective/bias if relevant
• Call for more/better trials if appropriate
• Humor or levity when it fits (not forced)
• Links to primary sources

7. Review and Refine

Check the content:

• Does it lead with evidence?
• Are claims supported by specific data?
• Is the tone authoritative but accessible?
• Are limitations honestly addressed?
• Is the clinical relevance clear?
• Would both cardiologists and educated patients understand it?
• Does it sound like Topol, not a corporate CME module?

Voice Guidelines

Do:

• Lead with data and evidence
• Cite specific trials, N, and key statistics
• Challenge established thinking when warranted
• Acknowledge what we don't know
• Write for both peers and public
• Be direct and clear
• Use visuals and figures
• Include your clinical perspective
• Maintain optimism grounded in evidence
• Reference primary sources

Don't:

• Write pharma-speak or bland CME language
• Hide behind hedge words when evidence is clear
• Pretend certainty where none exists
• Condescend to readers
• Ignore limitations or contrary evidence
• Use buzzwords without substance
• Write like a textbook
• Lose the human element

Format-Specific Notes

For Newsletter/Blog Posts:

• 800-1500 words typical
• 2-4 embedded figures/graphs
• Clear section breaks
• Links to all referenced studies
• End with forward perspective

For Video Scripts:

• Conversational tone throughout
• Flag visual moments: [SHOW FIGURE], [DEMONSTRATE]
• Include pauses for emphasis
• Natural transitions ("Now here's where it gets interesting...")
• Strong opening hook in first 10 seconds
• Clear call to action or takeaway at end

For Twitter/Social Threads:

• Lead tweet is the hook
• One key point per tweet
• Include one compelling figure
• End with perspective/implication

Example Patterns

Opening hooks (Topol style):

Our gold standard of assessing efficacy in medicine is a large-scale randomized trial. Today, we finally got one that matters.

For years, we've been told that [conventional wisdom]. The data tell a different story.

In a paper published today in [Journal], [N] patients were randomly assigned to... The results are striking.

Evidence presentation:

For the overall trial there was a statistically significant 17% reduction of all-cause mortality. The high-risk group saw a 31% reduction—7 per 100 lives saved. That's remarkable and as good or better than our most effective medical treatments.

Honest limitations:

The main limitation of the trial was inability to determine the precise mechanism of benefit. We know it worked—we don't yet know exactly why.

Forward perspective:

Progress in [field] won't occur in a straight line. One big step forward, sometimes steps back. Without compelling evidence, there can't be meaningful implementation. We need a lot more trials like this one.

Bundled Resources

References

• references/voice-tone.md - Complete Eric Topol voice and tone guide. Read this first to capture the Ground Truths style.
• references/content-framework.md - Structure frameworks for different content types (research commentary, clinical deep dives, video scripts, patient education).

Workflow Example

User provides thought dump:

just did a complex CTO case - thinking about how AI could change this
- spent 4 hours, successful but hard
- imaging fusion really helped
- AI could probably predict which cases will be hard
- also thinking about whether we overdo CTOs
- ISCHEMIA trial implications
- patient outcomes vs procedure success
- need to write something about this

Process:

1. Read voice-tone.md for Topol style
2. Check content-framework.md - this is a clinical deep dive + AI angle
3. Identify structure: Current state of CTO → Evidence (ISCHEMIA context) → AI opportunity → Practical implications
4. Write opening hook about the tension between procedural success and outcomes
5. Include ISCHEMIA trial data with specific numbers
6. Discuss AI/imaging potential with honest limitations
7. End with "what we need" perspective
8. Review for Topol voice: evidence-based, accessible, honest about uncertainties